Kacy Schmidt, staff writer • October 3, 2014 • Leave a Comment

Sociology and psychology students will soon be given the option to choose a brand-new social work major. After conducting studies to determine the market for social work majors, both locally and nationally, the results indicated this field has a need for professionals. Discussions with other major departments were held in addition to the market study, and the conclusion was that psychology and human services majors could highly benefit from the creation of the social work program.

Cathy Beck-Cross, assistant professor of social work in the sociology department, explained why it is imperative that students have another choice of majors when making decisions about their career interests as it relates to helping families, communities and individuals.
“Adding social work to the psychology and human services program is necessary because each of these three majors has different perspectives regarding how service is provided,” Beck-Cross said.

Still in the process of accreditation, the university has applied for and begun the process with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE is the body that oversees accredited social work programs across the country. To ensure the program offered at Grand View meets rigorous quality standards, a formal and extensive review is required and will ensure that students who graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree will be eligible for advanced opportunities toward a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree should they elect to go to graduate school.

Beck-Cross said she is highly anticipating this complementary addition to the sociology department and feels strongly about the impact it will have on students and communities alike.

“Social work has a strong focus on service, social and economic justice, and respect for diversity. In providing service to individuals, families and communities, the social worker takes into consideration the environment in which the client lives, works and interacts when developing interventions for change,” Beck-Cross said. “Social workers promote social and economic justice by addressing the immediate needs of the client as well as examining how the systems impacting the client can be changed to improve the situation for the next client. Social workers engage and encourage human diversity and actively strive to provide culturally competent and respectful services.”

Aisha White, assistant professor of social work and social work field education director for campus, said she is also eager to see how students will benefit from the supplementary degree program.

“Social workers continually apply their profession’s code of ethics to the decision making process,” Beck-Cross said. “Both Aisha and I have been practicing social workers and we are passionate about helping shape the next wave of professionals for their work in the field.”

Jessie Vance, human services junior, said completing this program is useful for those who are seeking degrees in different areas.

“I want to be a family/child counselor, and knowing the social work side would be helpful,” Vance said. “Knowing social structures and knowing where people come from will open doors for different opportunities.”

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